Continuation of Journal During the Time Detained in England by the Embargo, Journal entry 49 – Journal entry 51
PHILADELPHIA.
Wednesday, November 28. Redeemed a little Time before it was Light, to write a Letter or two to my dear Friends in England.—I have not had a Moment's Time before, since my Return from New-York. People are continually coming in, and enquiring with strong Cryings and many Tears. how they must come to CHRIST. It grieves me to send them away with such short Answers, but Necessity compells me. Oh that the LORD may send forth more Labour… into his Harvest! Read Prayers and preached in the Morning as usual, to a thronged Congregation. Heard of more that were under Convictions; and as I was walking out to Dinner, a German came to me, saying, Thou didst sow some good Seed yesterday in Germantown, and a Grain of it fell into my Daughter's Heart: She wants to speak with thee, that she may know what she must do to keep and encrease it. The young Woman being near at Hand, came at her Father's Call.—Both melted into Tears immediately; and after I had exhorted her to watch and pray, and keep close to CHRIST by Faith, I took my Leave, beseeching GOD to water the good Seed his own Right Hand had planted in her Heart. In the Morning, Notice had been given, that I should preach my Farewel-Sermon in the Afternoon; but the Church being not capable, tho' as large as most of our London Churches, to contain a fourth Part of the People, by the Advice of Friends we adjourned to the Fields; and I preached for an Hour and half from a Balcony, to upwards of 10,000 Hearers, very attentive, and much affected with what GOD enabled me to deliver. I endeavoured to come in all Plainness of Speech, without any Respect of Persons.—The Mention of my Departure was a Grief to many; and it almost melted me down, to see with what Eagerness and earnest Affection they followed after the Preaching of the Word:—If I could preach they would attend all the Day long, Blessed be GOD, for this effectual Door! I wonder we have no more Adversaries: By and by I expect Satan and his Emissaries will rage horribly. I endeavoured to forewarn my Hearers of it. LORD, prepare us against a Day of spiritual Battle. Took my Leave of the Governor and Proprietor. Supp'd with one of the Church-Wardens and his Friends; and when I came Home, exhorted, sung Psalms and prayed with a great Company of People, who were waiting at my Door. After I was in Bed I received the following Letter from New-York.
Reverend and Dear SIR,
I was heartily sorry that a Cold should hinder me from accompanying you into the Jerseys, but am in Hopes it was ordained by Divine Providence for the best. I found the next Day, you had left the Town under a deep and universal Concern.—Many were greatly affected, and I hope abiding▪ Impressions are left upon some.—Some that were before very loose and profligate, look back with Shame upon their past Lives and Conversations, and seem resolved upon a thorough Reformation. I mention these Things▪ to strengthen you in the blessed Cause you are engaged in, and to support you under your abundant Labours. When I heard so many were concern'd for their eternal Welfare, I appointed a Lecture … Wednesday Evening; tho' it was not a usual Season; and tho' the Warning was short, we had a numerous and attentive Audience. In short, I cannot but hope, your Coming amongst us has been a Means of Awakening some among us, to a serious Sense of practical Religion, and may be the Beginning of a good Work in this secure and sinful Place. Dear Sir, let your Prayers be joined with mine, for this desirable Blessing: I desire your Prayers for me in particular; that I may be faithful to my Master's Work; that I may be an Instrument in the Hands of CHRIST, of pulling down the strongest Holds of Sin and Satan, and building up the Redeemer's Kingdom in this Place. Pray for us, that the good Impressions any have received, may not wear off, and prove as the Morning Cloud and as the early Dew; but that he would grant a Resurrection of Religion in the Midst of us; that many may flock to CHRIST, as Doves to the Windows. I pray GOD take you under his Protection, sustain you under your many Trials, and make you gloriously successful to convert Sinners from the Error of their Ways, and turning them to the Wisdom of the Just. My Wife joins with me in affectionate Regard to you, Mr. Seward, and your other Friends, whom we love in Sincerity.
I am, Your affectionate Brother, and Humble Servant, E. PEMBERTON.
Blessed be GOD for such Success at New-York: Nor is He working less here.—One of the Printers has told me he has taken above two Hundred Subscriptions for printing my Sermons and Journals.—Another Printer told me, he might have sold a Thousand Sermons if he had them; and by the Persuasions of my Friends, I gave out two of my extempore Discourses to be published, Dearest LORD, give them thy Blessing! Numbers of Letters have been sent me from Persons under Convictions; and it is unknown what deep Impressions have been wrought in the Hearts of Hundreds. An Opposer told me, I had unhinged many good sort of People: And indeed I believe, many that contented themselves with good Desires, are now convinced they must have good Habits also, and must be thoroughly born again, e'er they can see the Kingdom of GOD.—Many poor Sinners have, I trust, been called home, and great Numbers are under strong Convictions. And as I have sown spiritual Things, People are willing I should reap carnal Things; they have therefore sent me Butter, Sugar, Chocolate, Pickles, Cheese and Flour, for my poor Orphans, and indeed I could almost say, they would pluck out their own Eyes and give me. Blessed be GOD, for the great Work begun in these Parts. The Word has run very swiftly, and been much glorified. Oh that what GOD says of the Church of Philadelphia, in the Revelations, may be now fulfilled in this City, called after her Name, I know thy Works: Behold, I have set before thee an open Door, and none can shut it. Behold, I will make them of the Synagogue of Satan, behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy Feet; and to know that I have loved thee.
Philadelphia, Chester and Wilmington.
Thursday, Novemb. 29. Had the Satisfaction of settling all my Family Affairs according to my Desire. Got considerably, by the Goods sold, for the Poor.—Had a Sloop lent me which Mr. Seward bought, named the Savannah, in which I left Orders for my Family to set sail, immediately after my leaving Philadelphia.—My Friend Gladman, mentioned in the Beginning of this, has been a Help meet for me, and done every Thing, without giving me any, or but little Trouble. Blessed be GOD. About Eleven in the Morning, having corrected two Sermons for the Press, I took an affectionate Leave of my Family and Philadelphia People. From seven in the Morning they thronged round the Door; and when we parted, Oh! how bitterly did the poor Souls weep.—As I passed along the Street, they came running out to the Doors, and discovered the Concern that was in their Hearts, by the Sorrow of their Countenance. Near 20 Gentlemen accompanied me on Horseback out of the Town: About seven Miles off another Company waited to join us; so that at last we were near 200 Horses. By Three we reached Chester, a Town 15 Miles distant from Philadelphia; and after we had taken a little Food, I preached to near five Thousand People from a Balcony. It being Court Day, the Justices sent Word, they would defer their Meeting till mine was over; and the Minister of the Parish, because the Church would not contain the People, took Care himself to provide the Place from which I spoke. The People were very quiet and attentive; and as I was told, near 1000 came from Philadelphia. After Sermon many of them took their last Farewell, and wished me Good Luck in the Name of the LORD. About six in the Evening we left Chester, and came to Wilmington, 13 Miles, before Nine. The Evening was warm; the Moon shone bright, and the pious Discourse we had on the Road, made the Time imperceptibly slide away. Two loving Quakers received us into their Houses. GOD was pleased also to refresh my Heart with a Sense of his Divine Love; and after I had given a Word of Exhortation, prayed with my own Friends, and some others that came in, I went to Bed, admiring the great Work that was begun by GOD in these Parts: I have not seen greater Things, considering the Places, no not in England. Oh! that the LORD, in answer to the People's Prayers, in his due Time, may bring me back hither again! I hope then to see some substantial Fruits of my present weak Endeavours. Dearest Redeemer, make me humble; prepare me for thy future Mercies, and whenever thou seest me in Danger of being puffed up above Measure, graciously send me a Thorn in the Flesh; so shalt thy Blessings not prove my Ruin!
Wilmington.
Friday, Nov. 30. Had a sweet Retirement this Morning. Preached at Noon, and again at 3 in the Afternoon, to near 4000 People each Time. Received several fresh and pressing Invitations to preach at several different Places, but was obliged to withstand them all. Oh that I had a Hundred Tongues and Lives, they should all be employed for my dear LORD JESUS! Spent the Evening in sweet Conversation with Mr. Charles Tennent, Brother to Mr. Gilbert Tennent, a faithful Minister of JESUS CHRIST, and with several …ans, whose Hearts GOD has been pleased to knit to me in a close intimate Union. Blessed be GOD, for the Communion of Saints. LORD, why am I thus highly favoured! Even so, Father, for so it seemeth good in thy Sight. Was ever such a Monument of GOD's free Grace! Who dares despair, when such Mercies are daily poured on such a Wretch as I am!